# NTSB LAX90FA180: Cessna 172N, N9993G, Salinas, CA, May 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1990, 12:48 local (19:48 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.670749, -121.61061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6707&lon=-121.6106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA180

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING VISUAL FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO ADHERE TO THE PROPOSED FLIGHT ROUTE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS CREWMEMBER CONDUCTED A PRE-RACE FLIGHT CHECK OF HIS PROPOSED VFR RACE ROUTE THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. ON THE DAY OF THE RACE THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ALONG HIS ROUTE. HE ADHERED TO HIS ORIGINAL FLIGHT ROUTE AND AFTER CLEARING THE HIGHER TERRAIN BEGAN HIS DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT, UP SLOPE WING, IMPACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT TUMBLED TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9993G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9993G-1990-11-21), registration cancelled 1990-11-21, S/N 17273640 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273640
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: California Airways
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKESFIELD, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 842 total, 312 in this make and model, 683 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SNS, 8 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900518016619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900518016619A), May 18, 1990: Cessna 172N, Salilnas, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into side of cloud obscure hill during a cross country air race.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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